NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Eye Paul George Max Contract; D'Angelo Russell, Julius Randle Want Pacers Vet As Mentor

By Mitch de Leon
Paul George
Paul George with the Indiana Pacers Wikimedia Commons/joshuak8

The Los Angeles Lakers are in the rebuilding phase of the franchise following the Kobe Bryant retirement season. With only D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance, Jr. to lead the Nick Young squad, veterans are highly needed. Hence, a Paul George contract set at the max level is said to be in the works. Luke Walton, the former assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, reportedly anticipates the entry of the Indiana Pacers veteran in the Los Angeles Lakers roster this NBA offseason.

At the moment, the Indiana Pacers star is enjoying the Rio Olympics 2016 in Brazil. Working hard to bring home the gold medal for Team USA in basketball, Paul George joins the likes of Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls, Carmelo Anthony of New York Knicks, Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers and DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers. The Golden State Warriors are also represented courtesy of Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

While the Indiana Pacers star is down with an ankle injury, the Rio Olympics 2016 appears to be helping him learn more this NBA offseason. Moreover, the Los Angeles Lakers appear to have caught the attention of Paul George. To be more specific, D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle seem to have impressed the 26-year-old three-time NBA All-Star.

Before setting out for Brazil in time for the Rio Olympics 2016, Team USA worked out with the select team in Las Vegas. Among the members of the group that faced Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Kyrie Irving were Devin Booker of the Milwaukee Bucks and Brandon Ingram of the Los Angeles Lakers. From all the NBA stars the Team USA played with, Paul George was most impressed with D'Angelo Russell and Julius Randle.

"I think LA's two young bucks- Julius [Randle] and D'Angelo [Russell] - and Devin [Booker], I think those three guys, we got after them," shared Paul George with Michael Pina of Bleacher Report, referring to the stars who stood out. He added, "They made turnovers, they looked bad at times, but what I like most about them is they weren't scared."

Earlier in the offseason, the Los Angeles Lakers had been open with their plans to rebuild their franchise. While they pride themselves of their young stars who offer incredible potential, the Jordan Clarkson squad need a veteran to lead them. Missing out on free agents like Kevin Durant, Hassan Whiteside and Dwyane Wade, the Los Angeles Lakers are now looking into potential NBA trade deals. At the top of their list is said to be Paul George. However, no official comment has been released by any of the parties involved.

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